Typhoon Causes Heavy Rain in Northern Viet Nam

Typhoon Prapiroon caused strong winds and heavy rain in Viet Nam’s north coastal provinces of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong as it slammed into China at 10 to 15 kph early Friday.

The storm then moved northwest at 10 kph after hitting the mainland, according to the state meteorological bureau.

The typhoon packed winds at force 10 and even force 12 at the eye of the storm. The meteorological bureau said the storm caused heavy gale force winds and widespread rain in northeastern Viet Nam's mountainous provinces.

Rescue teams throughout the area were on flash-flood and landslide alert.

Similar precautions were taken in Ha Long Bay as rescue operations urged local fishermen and cruise ships return to the bay's four ports.

Over 400 boats found land in the central province of Thua Thien Hue late Thursday, however, the main concern is that hundreds of families have not yet evacuated landslide regions along the area's riverbanks.

The same day, local rescue operations in the central coastal city of Da Nang contacted all boats remaining at sea. All the vessels were reportedly still safe and not in the storm-affected area as more than 200 ships docked at Da Nang city.

It is reported that as many as 57 vessels are still docked on islands off the Paracel (Hoang Sa) and Spratly (Truong Sa) archipelagoes, and may be impacted by strong winds and torrential rain caused by the typhoon. Another source said that over 200 fishing boats remain at sea in southern areas that will not be affected by the typhoon.

He stressed that every effort should be made to protect lives and property, as well as strengthen necessary dyke defenses. In addition, he emphasized that all citizens in the typhoon-impacted regions must evacuate in case of flash floods and landfalls.